News Wrap: Supreme Court to Hear Meta’s Appeal of Cambridge Analytica Scandal Trial

Geoff Bennett:

The jury in Hunter Biden’s criminal trial has begun deliberating in Delaware.

Earlier, prosecutors told jurors in closing arguments that no one is above the law. Hunter Biden’s defense attorney countered that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The president’s son faces three criminal charges related to his 2018 gun purchase.

A number of Hunter Biden’s family members showed up today to support him, including his aunt, Valerie Biden Owens, and his uncle James Biden. A number of Hunter Biden’s family members showed up today to support him, including his aunt Valerie Biden Owens and uncle James Biden. First lady Jill Biden attended all but one day of the debates.

The Supreme Court will consider Facebook parent company Meta’s appeal of a shareholder class action. The case focuses on Facebook’s handling of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, when the personal data of about 87 million users was inappropriately collected ahead of the 2016 election. The plaintiffs filed the suit in 2018 after shares fell of Facebook when the scandal broke.

They argue that the company failed to fully disclose the risks of mishandling user information. The court will hear the case during its next term, which begins in October.

In France, opinion polls today predicted that the far-right National Rally party would win snap elections next month. This is the first measure of French sentiment since yesterday’s dissolution of the National Assembly by President Emmanuel Macron. This follows his party’s defeat by the far right in the European Union parliamentary elections over the weekend.

The French National Assembly building was almost empty today after its dissolution. The early elections are scheduled in two rounds, one on June 30 and the other on July 7. Just a few weeks before the country hosts the Olympic Games.

Miami firefighters are battling a massive blaze that gutted a four-story building this morning. Plumes of smoke rose above the city’s downtown area as responders used ladder trucks to douse the flames, filling the streets with water and foam. Miami’s mayor said three firefighters were hospitalized for heat exhaustion and more than 40 residents were evacuated.

On site, emergency services also discovered a man in critical condition, suffering from a gunshot wound. Authorities say the shooting was an isolated incident.

A combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine could be one step closer to commercialization. Vaccine maker Moderna says that in late-stage trials involving adults over 50, participants who received its combined shot had significantly stronger immune responses than those who took two separate shots. Side effects were reported to be minor and similar to those seen when the injections were administered separately. Moderna says it hopes to launch the combined shot by fall 2025.

Indiana Fever star goalie Caitlin Clark is taking the high road after learning she was not selected for the Summer Olympics. The top pick in the WNBA draft says she will cheer for Team USA to win gold in Paris. The competition for a place was fierce. At least seven players from the 2020 gold medal team are returning this year. Clark says she’s already aiming for 2028.